Mohammed Bello (RMAFC chairman) shakes hands with Pres. Buhari
FeaturedHighlightTrending Story

Mr Mohammed Bello takes oath as RMAFC chair, promises increased revenue for FG

341

President Muhammadu Buhari has sworn in Mr Mohammed Bello as the Chairman of Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

The oath taking took place on Wednesday just before the hybrid Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja.

Speaking to State House correspondents after the ceremony, the chairman assured that the commission would assist the Buhari administration to get more revenue for the Federation, block leakages and implement its constitutional responsibilities.

He listed the constitutional responsibilities as monitoring of accruals into the Federation Account and disbursement, monetization, taking care of the salaries of political office holders, and judicial officers as enshrined in the Constitution which he noted has not been reviewed since 2008.

Bello said: “The task is challenging. We all know the situation that Nigeria is, or even globally, when you look at contemporary African countries like South Africa, Ethiopia, Ghana, Egypt, all the economic issues that are facing including Nigeria.

“We had the COVID-19, we had recession, we now have the war with Ukraine, which has affected many countries and revenues are down all over.

“So our task, as revenue mobilization is how we can assist Mr. President, to get more revenue for the Federation, block leakages, looking at the constitutional responsibility of the Commission which of course are monitoring of accruals to Federation account and disbursement, and also monetization, taking care of the salaries of political office holders, and judicial officers, as enshrined in the Constitution that had not been reviewed since 2008. And I think there is agitation for that.

“And also, from time to time, come up with a new revenue allocation formula, which the commission successfully did in February this year, and we have submitted our report to Mr. President.

“Revenue allocation formula have not been touched for about 29 years, the Constitution says after a period of five years it can be reviewed.

“And also our other responsibility, like monitoring of Central Bank of Nigeria, Ministry of Finance, Customs, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), those are huge task for the commission.

“Of course, don’t forget that revenue mobilization is also a statutorily member in the Joint Tax Board, local government joint account, ecological fund and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

“Our task is how we can get more revenue for Mr. President. I know there is a lot of debate on whether there is operating surplus, like some of the agencies of government will claim that what they are getting is surplus of revenue. Revenue is revenue as far as the commission is concerned.

“So, my task is to get our members respond to the task that Mr. President gave them in 2019, when he swore in the new board that try as much as possible to get more revenue and strengthen your monitoring mechanism.”

Bello also said: “That is what we are going to do with all the stakeholders Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Federal Ministry of Finance, every revenue generating agency, we have to collaborate to be able to assist Mr. President get more revenue before he leaves office.

“This is a task that should be done by every meaningful member of the commission.”

Persecondnews reports that Vice- President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan and other ministers are attending virtually from their various offices in Abuja.

Those physically present at the meeting include the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, and the National Security Adviser, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Mungonu.

Also present are the Ministers of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed; Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; Justice, Abubakar Malami;
Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite; Niger Delta, Umana Umana; Power, Abubakar Aliyu; Sports, Sunday Dare; Water Resources, Suliaman Adamu; and Science and Technology, Olorunibe Mamora.

Others are ministers are Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello; Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; Agriculture, Mohammed Abubakar; Mines and Steel Development; Olamilekan Adegbite and Minister of State Education, Goodluck Opia.

Read Also: Breaking: Electricity workers agree to suspend strike for 14 days

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Just in: 63-year-old Ekiti Chief Judge, Adeyeye, dies

Justice Oyewole Adeyeye, the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, has passed away....

Equatorial Guinea govt introduces CCTV in offices amid sextape scandal

Following sextape scandals, Equatorial Guinea’s Vice President, Teddy Nguema, has announced plans...

Election Day Showdown: Harris and Trump Hold Duelling Rallies as Polls Reach Dead Heat

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump held rival rallies on Monday, the final...

$26bln African Atlantic Gas Pipeline Project Gains Momentum

The federal government, in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African...

N1.3trn fraud: EFCC arrests, grills ex-Delta Gov. Okowa

A former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has been apprehended by the...

Equatorial Guinea government official embroiled in sextape scandal

Mr. Baltasar Engonga, Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF)...

CAF ruling against Libya: Nigerian govt. promises to protect its citizens in Libya

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to...

Polaris Bank wins “Best Mobile App” award at Digital Jurist Awards 2024

For its commitment to digital innovation and excellence, Polaris Bank has again...

Updated: After six years of injustice, Nigeria’s ex-Chief Justice, Onnoghen, finally gets justice

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Monday, overturned the conviction of...

Flood sacks 4 Anambra council areas as Soludo activates 27 IDP camps

By Emmanuel Ndukuba, Awka Floods have devastated four local government areas in...

Four-month salary: NASU, SSANU secure irrevocable commitment from FG, suspend strike

After a six-day strike, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of non-teaching staff...

Three radio stations in Abia destroyed by mysterious fire

A mysterious fire has hit three radio stations in Abia in Abia...

Seven new ministers for inauguration on Monday, Nov. 4

President Bola Tinubu will preside over the oath-taking of seven new ministers...

Youth shot dead for playing football near VIP’s house

A 70-year-old man, Mr. Stephen Irobunda, has escaped a mob action in...

Renowned Nigerian filmmaker, director Dimeji Ajibola is dead

Dimeji Ajibola, the acclaimed Nigerian filmmaker behind the popular series Shanty Town,...

Just in: UK Conservative Party elects former Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch as new leader

Former British Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has emerged as the new leader...

Demolition of Abuja N200bln properties: Restrain Wike, Estate Developers Beg Pres. Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has been urged to intervene in the alleged demolition...

FirstBank’s retired CEO, Adeduntan, gets presidential commendation

Impressed with his exemplary career trajectory and transformative leadership, President Bola Tinubu...

#EndBadGovernance protests: AGF to Police: Transfer casefiles of 72 defendants to my office

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince...

NAGAFF Taps NPA MD, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, as Keynote Speaker for Silver Jubilee Anniversary

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has announced Dr....